Container

ABSTRACT

A container in the form of two solid ended, hollow, cylinders with a threaded or push fitted seal to form a water resistant capsule with a hole at one end to enable a split ring or quick release clip to be added. The container is able to hold a folded note wrapped around a specifically designed clip within its body, thus reducing the required size of the container to a minimum yet allowing the banknote to be retrievable when required.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container, and more particularly acontainer for containing a banknote.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Cash, banknotes and coinage remain the primary form of currency of theworld. The primary feature of cash, wherein its ownership is easilytransferrable, means that cash can also easily be stolen or lost, andthere is little to no hope of retrieval or compensation. In fact, toemphasise this point cash, and in particular banknotes, are often ofextreme importance in an emergency, particularly where an individual isdispossessed of means of identification and debit and credit cards.

PRIOR ART

Banknotes are typically carried in wallets, purses or billfolds. Theseall have a large size relative and disproportionate to the volumetricsize of the banknotes. This is because the width and length of banknotesis disproportionate to the depth of paper based currency meaning unlessfolded any carrier will be of an equivalent width and length. One reasonis to assist partially sighted people to distinguish between differentdenominations of banknote.

In recognition of the importance of keeping at least a portion of anindividual's cash secure, there have often been many means of separateand/or portable secure devices for storing cash. These have focussed onbanknotes in particular due to their smaller storage size and greatervalue.

These devices for storing cash have ranged from a cardboard box ‘placedunder the bed’ to a money belt. Money belts were the fashion in thelatter section of the twentieth century mainly as a novelty item. Moneybelts never became widespread due to their bulk and aestheticdisadvantages which in combination led to disdain on the part of theaverage individual. Combined, these factors mitigated against thewidespread use of money belts and they mostly fell out of favour. Inaddition, due to the novelty value their use became known to thieves,also mitigating against successfulness in their solution to the problemof portable and secure banknote storage.

It is also possible to buy ordinary looking belts with concealedpocketing for hidden banknotes. In today's fast and fashion conscioustravel world, there are obvious disadvantages to a large device whichoccupies such a prominent position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided acontainer for containing a banknote comprising:

a body member having a cavity therein for receiving a banknote, saidcavity having an opening therein;a sealing member which releasably seals said opening of the cavity ofthe body member;a mounting member for mounting said container to a key-ring, anda clasp removably received in the cavity of the body member for holdingthe banknote in a folded position.

Preferably said body member is a tubular body member with one end closedand one end open. More preferably said sealing member is a tubularsealing member with one end closed and one end open, and said sealingmember and said body member are engagable with each other to form afully closed container. Yet more preferably when the clasp is receivedin the cavity of the body member of the container, the clasp extendsbeyond the opening of said cavity of said body member so that the claspcan be easily removed from the container by pulling said clasp. Evenmore preferably said clasp comprises two substantially parallel portionswith a space therebetween for receiving the banknote, one end of oneportion being connected to one end of the other portion. Yet morepreferably each of said substantially parallel portions is in the shapeof a strip. Even more preferably each of said substantially parallelportions is in the shape of a rod. Yet more preferably the clasp is inthe form of a closed loop. Even more preferably the container is lessthan 2 cm in diameter, more preferably the container is less than 1 cmin diameter. Even more preferably the body member and the sealing memberare hinged together. Yet more preferably the open ends of the respectivebody member and the sealing member are formed with threads so that thebody member can be screwed to the sealing member. Even more preferablythe body member and the sealing member can be push-fitted together. Yetmore preferably said container further comprises a water proof sealbetween the body member and the sealing member. Even more preferably thewater proof seal is an O-ring. Yet more preferably the container furthercomprises a spring loaded mechanism so that the clasp pops out when thecontainer is opened. Even more preferably the mounting member comprisesa projection on a closed end of the body member or of the sealingmember. Yet more preferably the mounting member is rotatable relative tothe body member or the sealing member. Even more preferably theprojection comprises an aperture or a hole for attaching to a key-ring.

Ideally the container is formed from two tubular sections, wherein saidsections may be hinged, screwed or push-fitted together to form acontinuous cylindrical capsule in use. Preferably there is provided awater resistant seal between the sections.

Ideally the container provides internally a specifically designedportion, projection, clip or clasp which is provided for the location ofone or more banknotes, whereby the clasp securely grasps or situates thebanknote, whilst simultaneously minimising the volume occupied by thebanknote(s) within the container. This may require the banknote to befolded in order to facilitate the effective minimisation. Ideally thebanknote is wrapped around the clasp.

In a preferred embodiment a mounting member comprises a projection onthe closed end of the body member or the sealing member. Said projectionmay provide an attachment point by having a centrally formed aperture orhole allowing attachment of a lanyard, split ring, quick release clip,carabiner or other attachment means. Such attachment point and meansallows the user to attach the container to such items as a key ring,chain, bag, necklace or other frequently carried item.

In this manner the user may keep an emergency banknote or banknotes withtheir keys on a key ring, or on a necklace, or on some other separateyet frequently carried item. It is in turn less likely that such an itemwill be lost or more particularly stolen, simultaneously with all otheridentification and banking cards, as by its nature, the container isunlikely to be kept or worn in the same place as, a purse or wallet.

The mounting member may be formed integrally, such as by moulding.

The banknote can be detached from the clasp and container with ease. Tothis end in further embodiments, spring loaded mechanisms may beemployed to detach, separate or expose the clasp.

The clasp comprises two substantially parallel portions with a spacetherebetween for receiving the banknote, one end of one portion beingconnected to one end of the other portion. One or more banknotes can befurled around the two substantially parallel portions. Each of saidsubstantially parallel portions may be in the shape of a strip, or inthe shape of a rod. Alternatively the clasp may be in the form of aclosed loop. Alternatively a base may be provided so that the two,substantially parallel portions may be freestanding uprights posts.Desirably inserting the banknote into the space and rolling the banknotearound the two substantially parallel portions prevents one part of thebanknote slipping over another during the rolling thereby enabling thebanknote to be rolled tightly.

In an alternative embodiment the clasp may be connected to the containerfor example by way of a thread, sprung member or fine wire in order toprevent it being lost.

Preferably the invention provides a waterproof container, for thestorage and containment of a banknote that has been folded in such a wayas to take up the minimum amount of space achievable. Preferably thecontainer is designed to be as small as possible, thereby beinglightweight and discreet. This clasp enables a banknote to be easilyretrievable from the container when required.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below by way ofexample only with reference to Figures in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a side view of the exterior of the container according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the exterior of the container according to thepresent invention in an open position.

FIG. 3 shows embodiments of the clasp portion according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 indicates folding of the banknote.

FIGS. 5 to 6 show photographs of a preferred embodiment of the containeraccording to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a container 1 includes a body member 3 b and a sealingmember 3 a. The body member 3 b has a cavity 40 with an opening 41therein. The container 1 further includes a mounting member 2 formounting said container to a ring 20. A hole or aperture is formed inthe mounting member 2 for accepting the ring 20 for example a splitring, which may then be attached to a key-ring, or to a bag, or to anitem of clothing (not shown). Alternatively ring 20 can be a key-ring.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6 the container further comprises a clasp51/52/53 removably received in the cavity 40 of the body member 3 b forholding a banknote in a folded position. The clasp 51/52/53 comprisestwo substantially parallel portions 51 a and 51 b/52 a and 52 b/53 a and53 b with a space therebetween for receiving the banknote, one end ofone portion being connected to one end of the other portion. One or morebanknotes are furled around the two substantially parallel portions.Each of said substantially parallel portions may be in the shape of astrip, or in the shape of a rod. Alternatively the clasp may be in theform of a closed loop. The two, substantially parallel portions may befreestanding uprights posts. Inserting the banknote into the space androlling the banknote around the two substantially parallel portionsprevents one part of the banknote slipping over another during therolling thereby enabling the banknote to be rolled tightly.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2 the mounting member 2 is permanently fixed orattached to a sealing member 3 a of the container 1. Body member 3 b(see FIG. 6) is disassembled from the sealing member 3 a therebyallowing easy removal of the clasp 51/52/53 from container 1. Thesealing member 3 a and the body member 3 b each has threaded portion 4a, 4 b near its open end so that they can be screwed together. Anelastomeric O-ring 8 is supported on an external flange of sealingmember 3 a in order to provide a watertight seal between the sealingmember 3 a and the body member 3 b when they are closed.

Mounting member 2 is ideally free to turn or swivel relative to thesealing member 3 a to which it is attached. In this way the mountingmember comprises multiple portions which may move relative to oneanother. This allows for more flexibility of movement after attachmentto an item. The hole in the mounting member may be significantly largerthan the ring 20 or other attachment means.

Ideally the container 1 is made from a tough, crush resistant materialsuch as a metal, metal alloy, aluminium or other non-oxidising metal.Alternatively the metal may be stainless steel, copper or bronze orother metal chosen for economic or aesthetic purposes.

Ideally the container 1 measures less than 5 cm in length and less than2 cm in diameter, more preferably the container measures less than 1 cmin diameter.

Heavyweight or other synthetic plastics materials can be utilised toform the container 1 or a combination of materials may be used. Thiscombination may comprise metal in fatigue and/or strength relevant areassuch as the mounting member 2, combined with predominantly syntheticplastics construction to minimise production costs. Such a constructionalso reduces the weight of the container 1 and allows economicalmanufacture, for example by way of casting. It also allows for thepossibility of varying, cross-section, shape and dimensions of thecontainer.

In the embodiment described above the container 1 is formed from twosections that are attached one to other by means of a screw thread. Inan alternative embodiment a press-together or push-fit connection may beused. In yet further embodiments a catch may be operable to close thecontainer. In still further embodiments a combination of the above maybe used to close the container and/or connect sections of the containerone to another. The two sections may be hinged together.

In this way the loss of one of the sections is less possible when thehinge is undamaged.

In a preferred embodiment clasp 51/52/53 is provided with a springloading mechanism to facilitate its removal from body member 3 b suchthat clasp 6 springs out when the container 1 is opened therebypermitting easy access to the banknote as it becomes exposed.

The container 1 is dimensioned to receive the average or largest sizedbanknote in circulation.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, body member 3 b and sealing member 3 a haveunequal length, with the smaller section 3 a having the mounting member2 and the larger section 3 b being dimensioned to receive the foldedbanknote in its entirety.

The container 1 is ideally rendered waterproof in its closed position bythe utilisation of O-ring seal between the sections 3 a and 3 b asdiscussed above. This O-ring seal is preferably made of neoprene. In thealternative this O-ring is formed at least in part from a rubbercompound.

Alternatively in the threaded embodiment discussed above the threadportions 4 a and 4 b are constructed of a plastics or rubber materialwith some resilience or compliance, thereby providing a tighter sealwhen the sections are threaded together.

FIG. 3 shows preferred embodiments of clasp 51/52/53 that enable thebanknote to be folded and rolled to a minimal size. The folded androlled banknote is held folded and rolled by clasp 51/52/53. The clasp51/52/53 is preferably springy or flexible.

Such a clasp 51/52/53 is necessary to minimise the storage volume of thebanknote and in addition render the banknote(s) retrievable from thecontainer 1 without inconvenience and avoiding possible tearing ordamage to the banknote(s). In the absence of the clasp 51/52/53 thebanknote is likely to be prone to becoming stuck in the container 1 asthe banknote would tend to expand to retain its original size.

As shown in FIG. 6 when the clasp is received in the body member theclasp 51/52/53 is long enough to extend beyond the opening of bodymember 3 b of the container 1 to allow the clasp 51/52/53 to be grippedand removed from or ejected from the body member 3 b in which it ishoused, thereby exposing the banknote for easier access. As discussedabove the clasp 51/52/53 may be spring loaded at the closed end of thebody member 3 b, wherein on the opening of the container 1 the clasp51/52/53 springs out, to expose a greater amount of the banknote and tofacilitate the retrieval of the banknote.

Referring to FIG. 4, to enable the banknote to be placed successfullywithin the container 1 and furled around the clasp 51, it is preferablethat the banknote is folded in a certain way that enables it to becomeas small as possible, in terms of length, diameter and width, as it iswrapped around the clasp 51 and fitted into the container 1.

Referring to FIG. 4, banknote is folded in half along its length. It isthen folded in half again along its length. The banknote is theninserted into a space between the two substantially parallel portions 51a and 51 b of the clasp 51 and then rolled around the clasp tightly tomake as small a final diameter and as minimal a volumetric dimension asis possible.

As shown in FIG. 5 the banknote and clasp 51 are then inserted into thebody member 3 b and the sealing member 3 a of the container 1 is screwedinto place. This secures the banknote and allows easier removal of thebanknote(s) by exposing the clasp 51, detaching the banknote(s) from theclasp 51 and unfolding the banknote(s). The container may be attached toan item to form an emergency supply of cash.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will beappreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentionedembodiments without departing from the scope of invention. With respectto the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimumdimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to includevariations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner ofoperation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious toone skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

1. A container for containing a banknote comprising: a body memberhaving a cavity therein for receiving a banknote, said cavity having anopening therein; a sealing member which releasably seals said opening ofthe cavity of the body member; a mounting member for mounting saidcontainer to a key-ring, and a clasp removably received in the cavity ofthe body member for holding the banknote in a folded position withinsaid cavity of said body member.
 2. A container for containing abanknote according to claim 1, wherein said body member is a tubularbody member with one end closed and one end open.
 3. A container forcontaining a banknote according to claim 2, wherein said sealing memberis a tubular sealing member with one end closed and one end open, andsaid sealing member and said body member are engagable with each otherto form a fully closed container.
 4. A container for containing abanknote according to claim 1, wherein when the clasp is received in thecavity of the body member of the container, the clasp extends beyond theopening of said cavity of said body member so that the clasp can beeasily removed from the container by pulling said clasp.
 5. A containerfor containing a banknote according to claim 1, wherein said claspcomprises two substantially parallel portions with a space therebetweenfor receiving the banknote, one end of one portion being connected toone end of the other portion.
 6. A container for containing a banknoteaccording to claim 5, wherein each of said substantially parallelportions is in the shape of a strip.
 7. A container for containing abanknote according to claim 5, wherein each of said substantiallyparallel portions is in the shape of a rod.
 8. A container forcontaining a banknote according to claim 5, wherein the clasp is in theform of a closed loop.
 9. A container for containing a banknoteaccording to claim 1, wherein the container is less than 2 cm indiameter.
 10. (canceled)
 11. A container according to claim 3 whereinthe open ends of the respective body member and the sealing member areformed with threads so that the body member can be screwed to thesealing member
 12. (canceled)
 13. A container according to claim 1,wherein said container further comprises a water proof seal between thebody member and the sealing member.
 14. A container according to claim13 wherein the water proof seal is an O-ring.
 15. (canceled)
 16. Acontainer according to claim 1 wherein the mounting member comprises aprojection on a closed end of the sealing member.
 17. A containeraccording to claim 1 wherein the mounting member is rotatable relativeto the body member or the sealing member.
 18. A container according toclaim 16, the projection comprises an aperture or a hole for attachingto a key-ring.